Septic Tank Cleaning Insurance Arizona Policy Information

Septic Tank Cleaning Insurance Arizona. A large percentage of homeowners and business owners use septic tanks to manage the wastewater from their property. In order to ensure a septic system is functioning properly, it needs to be maintained. Should a property owner fail to maintain their septic system, serious issues, like a sewage backup, can arise.

As the owner of a septic tank cleaning company, you provide your clients with an invaluable service: you clean out their septic tanks and ensure that they are in proper working order. It's an important job, and it's a job that comes with a lot of risks.

Septic system contractors excavate, install, clean, and repair underground storage and drainage systems. Septic systems are used in areas where municipal sewers and water treatment facilities are not available. An underground tank receives liquid and solid waste from a building's plumbing system. Some of the liquid is released through an underground drain field called a finger system. The tank eventually becomes full of unreleased residue that must be periodically removed by opening the tank cover and vacuuming the contents into a tanker truck.

The tanker empties its load at a community wastewater treatment plant. Septic system contractors usually offer repair services for septic systems and may also empty grease drains from restaurants and other businesses.

While your goal is to protect the properties of your clients, it's also important that you protect yourself from the mishaps that can arise. By investing in the right type of septic tank cleaning insurance Arizona, you can make sure that your business, your clients, your employees, and your personal assets are protected.

Septic tank cleaning insurance Arizona protects your contracting business from lawsuits with rates as low as $77/mo. Get a fast quote and your certificate of insurance now.

Why Do Septic Tank Cleaners Need Insurance?

Cleaning out septic tanks involves the use of heavy machinery and a lot of hard labor. You're also exposed to toxic substances and are working on other people's property. Even if you use the highest quality tools, use the most advanced strategies, and take every precaution possible, things can go wrong.

You could accidentally damage a client's property, an employee could become injured by a defective piece of machinery, or a customer could claim that you didn't provide a specific service that you said you would offer. These are just some of the situations that can arise, and they can be very expensive.

The cost of repairing damaged properties, medical bills, and legal fees have the potential to be financially devastating if you have to pay out of your own pocket. However, if you have the right type of insurance protection in place, when incidents arise, repairs, medical bills, and legal fees will be paid by your insurance provider; not you! Septic tank cleaning insurance Arizona takes the burden of financial repercussions off of your shoulders; in other words, it helps to protect your livelihood.

What Type Of Insurance Should Septic Tank Cleaning Contractors Carry?

The insurance needs of a septic tank company depend on a variety of factors; the size of your company, the number of people you employ, the specific types of services you offer, and where your business is located are just some of the factors that will affect the septic tank cleaning insurance Arizona coverage you need. With that said, however, there are certain policies that all septic tank cleaning companies should have in place, including:

While the septic tank cleaning insurance Arizona requirements for companies do vary, there are specific types of coverage that all forwarding businesses should carry, including:

Commercial General Liability - This type of coverage offers protection against third-party property damage and injury claims. For example, if a customer claims that you damaged his or her property while performing a service and files a lawsuit, commercial general liability will help to cover defense fees, as well as any damages that you responsible for paying.

Commercial Property - Should a tree fall down on your commercial building and damage the roof and some of the contents inside the building, or should someone break into your business and steal your equipment, commercial property insurance will have you covered. This type of policy covers the physical structure of your business, as well as the contents within it; therefore, your provider will help to pay for the damages your roof sustained when a tree fell on it and pay to replace the equipment that was damaged, too.

Business Auto - If you use cars, trucks, vans, or any other types of vehicle for work-related reasons, you'll also need a commercial auto insurance policy. If you are involved in an accident while heading to a job site and you were responsible for that accident, commercial auto insurance will help to pay for the damages to other people's property.

These are just some of the types of insurance that Arizona septic tank cleaners need to have. There are several other types of coverage that you may need to or want to invest in as well, such as workers' compensation insurance and marine inland insurance, so to find out exactly what type of insurance you need and how much coverage you should carry, speak to a trusted agent.

AZ Septic Tank Cleaner's Risks & Exposures

Premises liability exposures at the contractor's office are generally limited due to lack of public access. Equipment stored in an open yard may present an attractive nuisance to children and other trespassers. At the job site, opening and vacuuming the holding tank presents the possibility of injury to the customer.

The area of operation should be restricted by barriers and proper signage to protect against trips, slips and falls over equipment. If the location of the tank cover is unknown, the contractor may cut a utility cable, damaging property of the utility company and disrupting service to neighboring residences or businesses.

Absence of detailed procedures to verify the location of the tank cover and determine utility locations prior to digging may indicate a morale hazard.

Completed operations liability exposures include contamination of the customer's property due to improper cleaning or repair of or damage to the holding tank or finger system. Methane gas may be inadvertently vented into the building causing serious injury or death to the occupants.

Environmental impairment liability exposure can be high due to the potential for spilling the contents of the septic tank onto the customer's property or while in transit. If the contractor has its own wastewater treatment facility, the exposure increases. The insured must comply with all federal, state and municipal requirements. Proper written procedures and documentation of both the transportation and disposal process is important.

Workers compensation exposures are very high. Back injuries, hernias, sprains and strains can be caused by lifting and pulling the hoses and equipment used in cleaning the tanks. Asphyxiation can result from the release of methane gas should older septic tanks collapse or from an improperly vented tank.

Property exposures at the contractor's own location are usually limited to those of an office and storage of materials, equipment, and vehicles. Property stored outside may be a target for vandalism.

Crime exposures are from employee dishonesty. Background checks, including criminal history, should be obtained on each employee prior to hiring. Ordering, billing, and disbursement should be handled as separate duties with reconciliations occurring regularly. There should be appropriate procedures in place when employees accept payments off site.

Inland marine exposures include accounts receivable if the contractor offers credit to customers, contractors' equipment and hand tools, and valuable papers and records for customers' and suppliers' information. Hand tools are used to uncover the tank opening and make repairs. Vacuum units, hoses and other equipment are used to empty the tank. Equipment may be subject to loss from theft, chemical damage, collision and overturn.

Commercial auto exposures are high due to the transportation of waste products on tanker trucks. All drivers must be well trained and have valid licenses for the type of vehicle being driven. MVRs must be run on a regular basis. Random drug and alcohol testing should be conducted.

Vehicles must be well maintained with records kept in a central location. Drivers should be aware of and be able to perform cleanup procedures in the event of a collision or vehicle overturn. Many septic tank cleaning contractors operate in rural areas with narrow, winding roads that are difficult to navigate. Drivers should be trained and experienced in driving under adverse conditions.

Septic Tank Cleaner Insurance

To find out exactly what type of commercial policies you need and how much coverage you should have, speak with a trained insurance broker who knows your business.

Arizona Economic Data, Regulations And Limits On Commercial Insurance

Anyone who is thinking about starting a business knows that choosing the right location for their operations is essential. The right market and a demographic that will benefit from and be interested in purchasing the products and services a business offers is crucial for the success of an organization. If you're considering Arizona as the location for your company's headquarters or a new division of your business, it's imperative that you make sure the state offers a climate that will allow your operation to thrive.

By analyzing the employment rate and the key industries that are thriving in the state, you can determine if Arizona will be a suitable location for your business. It's also important to be aware of the forms of commercial insurance coverage business owners are required to carry. Below, we look at all three areas to help you decide if the Grand Canyon State is the right place for you to establish a business.

Economic Trends for Business Owners In Arizona

The unemployment rate in Arizona is higher than the national average; as of May, 2020, the rate was 4.9 percent, while the national average as 3.6 percent. However, compared to 2009, when the rate was 10.9 percent, there has certainly been a decrease in the rate of unemployment.

Urban areas are the ideal locations for businesses in the Grand Canyon State, such as Phoenix, Tempe, Scottsdale, and Chandler; but, smaller areas offer promise, too. Payson, Snowflake, Flowing Wells, and Cottonwood are just some of the smaller locations that are seeing economic growth in Arizona.

There are several key industries that are thriving within the state, including:

Aerospace and defense

Bioscience and health care

Film and digital media productions

Finance

Manufacturing

Professional and business services

Technology and innovation

Tourism

Trade, transportation, and utilities

Commercial Insurance Regulations In AZ

The Arizona Department of Insurance regulates insurance in Arizona. Commercial insurance is vital for a business, as it protects the interests of all who are involved with the organization; owners, employees, customers, and vendors. Like any other state, certain forms of commercial insurance are mandated in Arizona, meaning business owners are legally required to carry these policies.

All employers are required to carry workers' compensation insurance, as it provides coverage for work-related accidents and illnesses that employees sustain. Commercial liability insurance, which covers third-party personal injury and property damage liability claims, might also required for certain licenses.

For establishments that sell alcohol, liquor liability insurance is a legal requirement. Lastly, companies that rely on vehicles for business-related purposes (truckers, etc.) must carry a commercial auto insurance policy to protect the drivers of their commercial vehicles, as well as other drivers on the road.

Additional Resources For Contractors & Home Improvement Insurance

Learn about small business contractor's insurance, including what it covers, how much it costs - and how commercial insurance can help protect your contracting business from lawsuits.

A contractor that wants to begin or stay in business, liability coverage must be obtained for the premises or operations, off-site locations and products/completed operations exposures. These coverages may be included as a part of a businessowners policy (BOP) or purchased in a commercial general liability (CGL) policy. Owners and contractors protective liability and railroad protective liability coverages may also be required in certain cases in order for a contractor to obtain a particular job.

Physical damage coverage for tools, supplies and equipment, both on and off the contractor's premises, is a concern. Liability exposures at the premises of the contractor, and at the premises of the contractor's customer, must be properly addressed along with completed operations. Business insurance is very important as is workers compensation insurance protection for employees.

Contractors may work under a general contractor as a subcontractor in larger construction projects - like a new commercial site or residential subdivision. They can work on smaller projects directly with a home owner, usually specializing in renovations or remodels.

In business insurance speak, often called 'artisan contractors' or 'casual contractors', they are involved in many aspects of construction and contracting work – and include various trades and skills. Carpenters, painters, plumbers, electricians, roofers, tree trimmers, landscaping are just a few examples. They may do roofing, fencing, drywall, tile work and many other trades that involve skilled work with tools at the customer's premises.

An artisan contractor performs a single trade or job, and each has its own specialized liability needs with its own exposures to risk and accidents. Contractors liability insurance can offer coverage for bodily injury, property damage, advertising injury and medical payments.

Most artisan contractors should have commercial general liability at the very least, but many need broader coverages - like an umbrella to increase their limits of liability, inland marine policy to protect their tools, workers compensation if they have employees, and even commercial auto if they use vehicles for business purposes.

Also learn about Arizona small business insurance requirements for general liability, business property, commercial auto & workers compensation including AZ business insurance costs. Call us
(480) 937-2697.

Disclaimer

The commercial insurance content available on this page is for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal or financial advice.

General Liability Insure does not warrant or make any representations regarding the usefulness of or the expected results of the material contained on this website. You should contact your attorney, accountant and/or financial adviser to obtain advice with respect to any particular commercial insurance question, claim or issue.